It is fairly obvious from this picture that Jim didn't ground out here.: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

This series has been predicated on offense.  The Twins even knocked around one of the aces in the person of Cole Hamels and they REALLY teed off on resident feces thrower Kyle Kendrick.  Up steps Joe Blanton.  Joe has been going through a rough patch and by rough patch I mean that this has been the worst five start period of his career.  He threw a complete game and only a home run to Trevor Plouffe kept it from being a shutout.  I wonder what the odds were that Joe would lead this pitching staff in complete games?  If someone had money on that, they could probably buy an island.

For all Blanton’s heroics, in order to win a baseball game, someone on your team has to step on home plate. 

The Phillies have taken advantage of a terrible Minnesota starting rotation in this series, but tonight, they were saddled with the lone guy who has been throwing the ball well; Scott Diamond.  Diamond carried a 5-1 record with an ERA under two into the game.  The Phillies managed to score four runs off one him all of which came via the long ball.  Ty Wigginton started the scoring in the second and Jim Thome answered Trevor Plouffe’s solo blast with a three run shot in the third.  This series is turning the notion that Target field is a pitcher’s park directly on its ear.

The Twins never really threatened and the Phillies added a couple of late insureance runs on RBIs from Carlos Ruiz and Placido Polanco.  This was a really good 6-1 win.  No comebacks, no bullpens, no errors and most of all, no agnst.  Thank you for this one Joe.

The moment that everything seemed to come up Phillies in this one was when Joe Blanton wasn’t getting the holy hell kick out of him.  People talk about a “downward plane” on his fastball.  I am more interested in the other team not hitting the ball over the fence.  Joe allowed a home run, but kept the ball out of the middle of the plate and it was fairly evident from pitch one that Blanton was on today.

The most attractive play of the day was ANOTHER long home run from Jim Thome.  What the hell do they put in the Minnesota water?  During the horrendous postgame show, one of the talking heads informed us that Thome’s nine RBI in the three game series is a career high.  It sort of boggles the mind how a guy in his forties can still hit a ball that far.

The hero of the game is a shared honor between two guys that were mentioned previously; Joe Blanton and Jim Thome.  Joe just broke a tie with Kyle Kendrick as the team leader in complete games……seriously.  Thome can still emasculate pitchers by hitting the ball halfway to the damn moon. 

The villian of the game was Minnesota third baseman Trevor Plouffe.  He acconted for the only scoring for the Twins with another home run.  It can on an 0-2 pitch and was one of the few mistakes that Blanton made today.

P.J. Walters flees in terror with an "injury." He did not record an out.: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

I am going to start this recap with a hypothetical situation.  Let’s say that a baseball team scores six runs in the first inning of a baseball game.  This type of offensive output would lead one to believe that victory was imminent.  Strengthening the case for an easy victory is the addition of one of baseball’s best pitchers and a cavalcade of average quasi major league pitchers in opposition.  In said hypotheitcal situation, an easy victory seems like a really strong possibility. 

The Phillies scored six first inning runs knocking starting pitcher P.J. Walters from the game without recording an out.  The offense added another three runs in the middle of the game and still managed to transform what seemed to be an easy victory into a one run game that required a four out save from their closer.  What makes this type of game so difficult to swallow is simply that we, as fans of this team, are not used to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.  If it was a botched double play from Dickie Thon to Tom Herr there would be much less outrage.  There are higher expectations right now.  Mostly I think that if this team is going to play badly, they should offer a contract to retired random utility infielder Randy Ready.

Even though it got tenuously close to a loss, the Phillies won the game.  The first four batters of the game singled, highlighted by a two run single from the red hot Jim Thome who has been close to ungetoutable lately.  Jeff Manship took over for P.J. Walters and got out of the inning, but not before Chooch singled home a run and John Mayberry Jr. crushed a three run home run.  Cole Hamels threw a scoreless bottom of the first and everything looked like it was going the Phillies’ way.

The Twins got on the board with a solo homer from Trevor Plouffe.  Plouffe is a stupid name and Cole should be embarrassed that he allowed a home run to him.  The Phillies kept adding on, most markedly with a 466ft two run home run from Jim Thome, but they couldn’t shake the Twins’ red hot offense who again were aided by some shoddy defense from the Phillies.  The score was 9-4 going into the seventh inning and after Kyle Kendrick’s short outing last night, the Phillies really were looking for seven innings from Cole Hamels.  They didn’t get it.  The first three Twins reached base against Cole and they managed to score another four runs in the inning.  Antonio Bastardo did little to aid Hamels as he allowed all of the inherited runners in the inning to score.  Cole’s final line was an unimpressive six inning pitched, allowing eight hits and seven runs.  At least he got out of the first inning, unlike his counterpart.

Chad Qualls entered the game with a one run lead.  He struck out three batters, but Jamey Carrol made it to first on a swing and miss wild pitch.  This precipitated the use of Jonathan Papelbon.  We seem to get the feeling that Charlie does not have all that much faith in any other members of the bullpen.  Papelbon continues to pitch really well and he made a four out save look pretty damn easy.

The moment that everything went right for the Phillies was went Jonathan Papelbon got Josh Willingham to record the last out of the game.  The way it has been going recently it really looked like the Phillies were doing everything to hand this one back to the Twins and I didn’t feel better until the last out was recorded.

The most attractive play of the game was a tie between a fantastic glove flip from Micheal Martinez and the mammoth home run that Jim Thome hit.  I suppose I should give it it Martinez because he probably will never been in this part of the recap again.

The hero of the game was Jonathan Papelbon.  He got another save of more than four outs and continues to be the only competent member of the bullpen.

The villian of the game was Jamey Carrol.  He didn’t do anthing spectacular, but Wheels sound like he might want to have sex with him.  That’s enough for me.

The Phillies can win the series!  Joe Blanton is tasked with not being terrible tomorrow at 8:10.

The Baltimore Orioles are in first place. Wait, let it sink in…the ORIOLES are in first! The team has defied logic and science, and continue to hold onto what most consider to be the toughest division in the AL. The baseball world has been waiting for them to come down to earth, but they may have to wait a while longer. The short answer to their puzzling success is power. The O’s have mashed 78 team home runs, led by speedy outfielder Adam Jones (16). Jones hasn’t been the only hot hitter on the team, but his play earned him a new contract extension of 6 years and 85.5 million. I bet the Seattle Mariners are regretting that Eric Bedard trade right about now.

Player to Watch: Closer Jim Johnson

"Johnson has been shaking the catchers hand a lot this season (18 times to date)" Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

While the Orioles have been fueled by their propensity for the long ball, the unsung hero of this ball club has been closer Jim Johnson. The O’s have been able to overcome poor starting pitching in part with their hot hitting, but have locked down the 9th with Johnson. He has 18 saves on the year with a 1.38 ERA. He doesn’t overpower anyone, but he keeps the ball down and misses the barrel of the bat with his sinking and tailing pitches. Anyone paying attention to Johnson’s 2011 season shouldn’t be shocked by his numbers. He was “Mr. Everything” for the O’s pen las season pitching 91 innings, earning him the closers job at the end of the year. The Phillies would be wise to avoid seeing the stingy closer as much as possible if they hope to come away with W’s.

Most Hated Oriole: Camden Yards

Here me out on this one. The O’s ballpark has been the inspiration for the modern day boom of stadiums across the country. From Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Houston, to our very own Citizens Bank Park the contemporary ballpark lineage traces back to Camden Yards. What none of them have done though (no disrespect to the bank) is do it just as well. When people go to Orioles games they go primarily to see the park, not the team. While the “experience” factor is important in Philadelphia too, people show up to see the Phils just as much as the ambiance. Camden Yards is a modern day shrine, which draws the ire and jealousy of teams trying to emulate its success. Its like how every child with Jr. after his name feels. If you haven’t made plans this weekend, go down to Baltimore and take in Camden Yards. No matter how many stadiums are built it will always be one of the best.

Series Prediction:

1) The pitching trio of Blanton, Worley, and Lee serve up multiple deep flies, which the Phils are unable to duplicate.

2) Jim Thome makes his long awaited “DH” debut…and continues to struggle finding his timing after a long layoff.

3) The Phils draw a huge road crowd as usual, but give them nothing to cheer about. Fans can be found sulking all the way up I-95 after the weekend.

Minnesota Twins

As bad as the Phillies have been this year, at least they aren’t the Twins. The only thing in Minnesota worth watching has been their beautiful new ballpark (still no Camden Yards). The team has struggled in nearly every aspect. They can’t find any consistent pitching, with a team ERA over 5. Coupled with the fact that their staff K/9 are a meager 5.85 (not even a full point about their ERA!) shows just how bad their staff has been. The M & M boys aren’t the same tandem that led the Twins to division titles in years past. Morneau can’t stay on the field long enough to get any consistency at the plate, and Mauer still has yet to develop the power you wan’t out of a 3-hole hitter. If the Twins are smart, they will get Mauer out from behind the plate to protect his future, as he’s about the only building block that’s not available to be traded. The fact that the media are already labeling the Twins as deadline sellers says it all.

Player to Watch: OF Josh Willingham

"Wish we signed this guy" Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

Most fans will remember Willingham from his days in a Marlins uniform. Believe it or not he is 4 years removed from playing for the Fish, and was even rumored as a potential left field option for the Phillies in the offseason. Ruben Amaro wishes he made a bigger push for the Willingham as he has been one of the lone bright spots for the Twins. He is slugging over .570 and has belted 11 home runs while playing his home games in a spacious ball park. Its easy to second guess the Phillies moves, but how much better would this lineup be with another hitter with some pop?

Most Hated Twin: C Joe Mauer

The young Minnesota native just makes it look easy. Mauer may not be Robert Redford from the natural, but his swing is a thing a beauty. Maybe it’s the blue collar, work hard mentality of this city, but its hard to like players who are just that gifted (unless they play for the Phils of course). He always seems to hit well over .300, knock in big runs, all while working 9 innings behind the plate. If that’s not enough to irk you, keep in mind that he is last contract extension was 180 million dollars! Mauer’s only redeeming quality may be his sense of humor (see head and shoulders commercial). Not bad Joe, but you’re no Peyton Manning.

Fansided Perspective: Nate and Shawn of Puckett’s Pond break down the latest from the Twin Cities.

Shawn: They are mostly interent shenanigans. Honestly, it could be a smart move for the Twins if Morneau can stay healthy and probably kick up his production another notch. I think he will probably be a better trade candidate next year due to the amount he is still owed and the risk. The Twins could trade him this year, but most of what they would receive would be salary relief. He’s too popular in the state and the clubhouse to trade merely for financial means. I still find it hard that they’d trade him at all.

"If the rumors are true, Morneau could be wearing different colors soon" Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Nate: It would be very logical to trade Morneau, so I doubt it’s just internet shenanigans. The Twins are in last place, they need to rebuild, and Morneau is a high-priced veteran a year and a half from free agency. His average and OBP are a bit low right now, but he is still bringing the power. If the Twins ate part of his salary, I think a contending team would consider trading some good prospects for him. Morneau has always been one of my favorite players, but I think trading him would be the right thing to do.